MANILA (Reuters) - Washington will raise its military assistance to the Philippines by about two-thirds, Manila's foreign ministry said on Wednesday, helping its oldest security ally in Asia defend vast maritime borders against what it sees as Chinese assertiveness.Full story

Electricity was restored Wednesday to most of a Philippine province that was entirely cut off for more than 24 hours when the national power grid operator stopped its supply due to $93 million in unpaid bills, officials said. Full story

MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines will likely keep its peacekeeping forces in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights for six more months after securing U.N. assurances for the safety of its 342 soldiers in the ceasefire zone, Manila's foreign minister said on Wednesday. Full story

American special forces soldiers show Filipino army troopers techniques in firing their rifles during marksmanship training at a firing range on Basilan Island in the southern Philippines April 11, 2002. RTXL76Z